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Slaine takes stage at Mesa Theater and Club

Born in the Boston area, hip-hop artist Slaine comes to Grand Junction fresh off the debut of his solo album and an appearance most recently in the movie “The Town” starring Ben Affleck.

Slaine, whose real name is George Carroll, appears with (hed) p.e. at an 8 p.m. show Saturday, Oct. 8, at Mesa Theater and Club, 538 Main St.

Tickets to the 16 and older show are $18 and available at the club’s box office.

Slaine’s solo album, “A World With No Skies 2.0,” debuted Aug. 16.

In an exchange of emails, the hip-hop artist wrote about his music and acting careers, the name Slaine and western Colorado.

Melinda Mawdsley: Why were you drawn to the entertainment industry?

Slaine: I loved hip-hop music and writing, but it wasn’t so much about being in the industry for me. The reason I became so obsessed with music was my need for emotional and mental release. After a while, it became something I had to do.

Mawdsley: How did you get into acting?

Slaine: The Boston Herald did a story about my music, and Ben Affleck happened to be casting for his directorial debut, “Gone Baby Gone.” I woke up the day the story ran in the paper and had a lot of missed phone calls from the casting office trying to get in touch with me and get to me to audition for a part Ben thought I would be good for. I did five auditions after that and was eventually offered the part of Bubba Rogowski.

Mawdsley: Where does the name Slaine come from?

Slaine: When I moved to New York City in 1996 everyone called me Jon Doe. I did a lot of drugs at the time, and the joke was that I looked like a dead man. Eventually, Kaves (Mike McLeer) from Lordz of Brooklyn, the studio I used to record in, in Brooklyn, started calling me Slaine, which was along the same lines as Jon Doe, but Slaine also was an Irish comic book character.

Mawdsley: What do you think of your solo debut?

Slaine: I think I have been listening to my own music for a long time and trying to really perfect my craft. I did a good job on this album, painting a collage of who I am with my album.

Mawdsley: Are you on tour promoting the album?

Slaine: I’m currently on a U.S. tour that goes from Sept. 29 to Nov. 19. It’s a pretty grueling schedule, but I am amped to make new fans and meet the ones I already have.

Mawdsley: Have you performed in western Colorado before?

Slaine: I have performed in Denver a few times but nowhere else in the state. I’m looking forward to getting there and rocking, though. It’s always good to perform somewhere you haven’t been yet.

Mawdsley: What can audience members expect to hear or see during your show?

Slaine: My performance is different every night. Sometimes it’s rowdy. Sometimes it’s emotionally driven. Other times, it’s like hanging on the stoop having a conversation. It all depends on what I’m feeling like that day. That’s the only way I know how to give an honest performance. It has to feel like now.